From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

I hope you had a restful fun filled week with your children.  I ventured to Monterey for a few days and saw the Monterey Bay Aquarium. What an exceptional exhibit!  This is a must see, well worth the drive.  As I watched the faces of the children around me I could not help but wish that Skyblue students were with me!  If you get the opportunity to go, your children will surely delight in this incredible learning experience. 

With only nine weeks left of the school year we still have lots of learning to accomplish.  Getting children back on schedule with early bedtimes and hardy breakfasts will help them meet their goals.  With the warm weather right around the corner, I must remind you of the student dress code.  Shorts must be long enough to touch fingertips and tank tops must be at least one inch at the shoulder.  The dress code is located in your parent handbook. 

I had the sheriff out to review our valet program.  He commended our parent volunteers and students on their adherence of the rules and a job well done.  He made a few recommendations that I will implement.  He will be stopping by several more times.  He wanted me to reiterate that there is to be no cell phone use in the drive through lane, music should be turned down and there is no drop off near the kindergarten yard.  Additionally, he is looking at
changing the parking signage on Hardesty.  He has asked that there be no parking between Aldbury and the
entrance gate as this interferes with the valet drive through. The exit driveway will be right turn only.  If this does not work for you, please feel free to park on the street and come onto campus to pick up your student.  Our primary concern is student safety.

Construction update:  Framing will continue for the next couple of weeks.  It's really beginning to take shape!

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

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From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

We just had our district kick off meeting for our upcoming standardized testing.  Please mark your calendars.  Testing begins May 2nd and continues through May 11^th.  Please do not schedule doctor’s appointments during this time.  It is very important that all students in Grades 2-6 be present for testing.  It is also important that students arrive to school on time as testing begins early in the morning. The following is parent information from the CA Department of Education Website.

STAR

2007 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program

Parent/Guardian Guide

to the 2007 STAR Program

 

The tests in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program are an important part of the state assessment system. These tests are administered each spring to measure how well students in California public schools are achieving state content standards. These achievement tests target English-language arts and mathematics in all grades tested. In addition, tests in science and history-social science are given in selected grades.

Educating students is a team effort. Parents, guardians, students, schools, and communities benefit when there is a shared responsibility for learning. To fully participate as part of this team, parents and guardians should have a thorough

understanding of the role the tests in the STAR Program play in making sure that

all students achieve state content standards.

 

Questions and Answers About the STAR Program

Who participates in the STAR Program?

All students in grades two through eleven in California public schools participate in the STAR Program each spring. This includes students with disabilities and English learners.



What are the tests in the 2007 STAR Program?

·         The California Standards Tests (CSTs) measure the achievement of state content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, science, and history-social science.

·         The California Achievement Tests, Sixth Edition Survey (CAT/6 Survey), are nationally norm-referenced tests that measure the achievement of general academic knowledge in core subject areas and provide national comparisons. (These tests are given in grades three and seven only.)

Does my student have to participate in the annual STAR Program testing?

Yes. All students must participate unless their parents or guardians have submitted written requests to exempt them from STAR Program testing (Education Code Section 60615). It is very important that all students take part in the STAR Program. Each school must have at least 95 percent of its students participate in statewide assessments in order to meet federal accountability requirements.

When will I receive my student’s STAR Student Report?

Most parents and guardians will receive the STAR student reports by the end of September 2007.

What information will my student’s report include?

Your student’s report will focus on results of the CSTs. When reviewing the report, you first will see scores and performance levels for each subject area tested. Performance levels of proficient or advanced indicate that your student is meeting or surpassing the state’s target for academic achievement. Performance levels of basic, below basic, or far below basic indicate areas of learning that need improvement.

In addition, the STAR Student Report will include scores for specific content areas within each subject area tested and a California Reading List (CRL) Number. An explanation about all of the information included in your student’s report will accompany the STAR Student Report.

Note: Parents and guardians should be reminded that individual student results are confidential and maintained only by the school district. The CDE does not keep individual student results and, therefore, cannot respond to parent and guardian requests for their student’s results.

What is the California Reading List Number?

The California Reading List (CRL) Number is an index based on each student’s score on the CST in English-language arts. Parents, guardians, students, and teachers may use the CRL to access a list of books that are at a student’s reading level. The list is available on the Internet at [Click to view link]. You and your student may find this list helpful when selecting books for reading at home.

 

How are the 2007 STAR Program results used to improve my student’s education?

n   STAR Program results provide information about each student’s progress that is used to help parents or guardians and teachers work together to improve student learning.

 

n   Schools use STAR Program results to help make decisions about how best to support student achievement.

 

n   STAR Program results also can be used, along with other available data, to assist in identifying students for promotion or retention and for special intervention or enrichment programs. Test results, however, should never be used as the only source of information to make important decisions about a student’s education.

 

How to find out more…If you have additional questions about the California content standards or the STAR Program, please direct them to your student’s teacher, counselor, or the school office.  You also will find answers to your questions about the STAR Program on the CDE Web site at:

 

[Click to view link]. The California content standards can be reviewed at [Click to view link].

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

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From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

We just had our district kick off meeting for our upcoming standardized testing.  Please mark your calendars.  Testing begins May 2nd and continues through May 11^th.  Please do not schedule doctor’s appointments during this time.  It is very important that all students in Grades 2-6 be present for testing.  It is also important that students arrive to school on time as testing begins early in the morning. The following is parent information from the CA Department of Education Website.

STAR

2007 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program

Parent/Guardian Guide

to the 2007 STAR Program

 

The tests in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program are an important part of the state assessment system. These tests are administered each spring to measure how well students in California public schools are achieving state content standards. These achievement tests target English-language arts and mathematics in all grades tested. In addition, tests in science and history-social science are given in selected grades.

Educating students is a team effort. Parents, guardians, students, schools, and communities benefit when there is a shared responsibility for learning. To fully participate as part of this team, parents and guardians should have a thorough

understanding of the role the tests in the STAR Program play in making sure that

all students achieve state content standards.

 

Questions and Answers About the STAR Program

Who participates in the STAR Program?

All students in grades two through eleven in California public schools participate in the STAR Program each spring. This includes students with disabilities and English learners.



What are the tests in the 2007 STAR Program?

·         The California Standards Tests (CSTs) measure the achievement of state content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, science, and history-social science.

·         The California Achievement Tests, Sixth Edition Survey (CAT/6 Survey), are nationally norm-referenced tests that measure the achievement of general academic knowledge in core subject areas and provide national comparisons. (These tests are given in grades three and seven only.)

Does my student have to participate in the annual STAR Program testing?

Yes. All students must participate unless their parents or guardians have submitted written requests to exempt them from STAR Program testing (Education Code Section 60615). It is very important that all students take part in the STAR Program. Each school must have at least 95 percent of its students participate in statewide assessments in order to meet federal accountability requirements.

When will I receive my student’s STAR Student Report?

Most parents and guardians will receive the STAR student reports by the end of September 2007.

What information will my student’s report include?

Your student’s report will focus on results of the CSTs. When reviewing the report, you first will see scores and performance levels for each subject area tested. Performance levels of proficient or advanced indicate that your student is meeting or surpassing the state’s target for academic achievement. Performance levels of basic, below basic, or far below basic indicate areas of learning that need improvement.

In addition, the STAR Student Report will include scores for specific content areas within each subject area tested and a California Reading List (CRL) Number. An explanation about all of the information included in your student’s report will accompany the STAR Student Report.

Note: Parents and guardians should be reminded that individual student results are confidential and maintained only by the school district. The CDE does not keep individual student results and, therefore, cannot respond to parent and guardian requests for their student’s results.

What is the California Reading List Number?

The California Reading List (CRL) Number is an index based on each student’s score on the CST in English-language arts. Parents, guardians, students, and teachers may use the CRL to access a list of books that are at a student’s reading level. The list is available on the Internet at [Click to view link]. You and your student may find this list helpful when selecting books for reading at home.

 

How are the 2007 STAR Program results used to improve my student’s education?

n   STAR Program results provide information about each student’s progress that is used to help parents or guardians and teachers work together to improve student learning.

 

n   Schools use STAR Program results to help make decisions about how best to support student achievement.

 

n   STAR Program results also can be used, along with other available data, to assist in identifying students for promotion or retention and for special intervention or enrichment programs. Test results, however, should never be used as the only source of information to make important decisions about a student’s education.

 

How to find out more…If you have additional questions about the California content standards or the STAR Program, please direct them to your student’s teacher, counselor, or the school office.  You also will find answers to your questions about the STAR Program on the CDE Web site at:

 

[Click to view link]. The California content standards can be reviewed at [Click to view link].

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

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From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

I wanted you to know that Saugus Union School District is very proactive when it comes to safety and disaster preparedness.  Just this last Tuesday we did a district wide drill that included the city.  Our students did a drop and cover drill and then evacuated and a student accounting was taken.  We were in contact with the District Office so they knew when all students were evacuated and accounted for. We have procedures in place for Fire, Earthquake, Lock Down  and Bomb Threat. We have a disaster team of teachers who are trained in first aide, search and rescue and all staff is trained in crisis management.  Each staff member has a manual that lists each procedure and the steps to be taken.  We have emergency walkie-talkies, first aide, search and rescue bags, water, food and staging equipment stored in the disaster bin.  In the event that someone comes on campus, a lock down is announced over the loud speaker.  If students are at recess they go quickly to the closest classroom.  All classroom doors are locked from the inside allowing only students and staff to enter.  Staff members continue to observe outside area covertly through windows and report anything suspicious to office immediately.  Students are kept away from the windows.  Teachers take attendance and send accounting of missing students or extra students who are in their classroom from other rooms to the office via telephone or e-mail.

The school keeps in contact with law enforcement and the district office.

Students will remain in the classroom under all conditions.  Each room has a portable bathroom kit for emergencies.  Teachers reviewed the lock down procedure with their students this past week.  We continue to review and practice these drills to ensure the safety of our students and staff.



Construction Update

The new MPR is beginning to really take shape.  Wood framing will continue with some concrete infills and excavation for storm drains.

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

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